RYPAS

RYPAS, the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Program, is a program to provide assistance to people with severe disabilities so that they may continue to live in their own home and not nursing homes.

In 1999 the West Virginia legislature passed the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services (RYPAS) Act, creating a consumer-controlled program to enable people with severe disabilities to live in their own homes and communities.

RYPAS services

The RYPAS program provides resources for individuals with severe disabilities to hire a personal assistant to help them perform essential daily living tasks - including, but not limited to:

getting in and out of bed, wheelchair or motor vehicle

bathing and personal hygiene

dressing and grooming

meal preparation, eating and cleanup

paying bills

shopping and banking

managing a daily schedule

RYPAS management

The RYPAS program is managed by a seven-member consumer-controlled board. Board members are people with disabilities, most of whom have their own personal assistants. The board makes all decisions about the program and the eligibility of applicants for services. Board members are not eligible for RYPAS services while serving on the board.

RYPAS recipients

To qualify a person must have a severe disability that affects one or more major life activity and:

will always have the disability, or the disability will last for at least 12 months

needs assistance to take care of essential tasks of daily living

is not currently receiving personal assistance services through any Medicaid program

can meet responsibilities as an employer

can manage personal financial and legal affairs

meets the income guidelines for adjusted annual income

Employing a personal assistant

If you qualify for the RYPAS program, you will be able to hire a personal assistant of your choice. This will make you an employer.

As an employer, you will have various legal and financial responsibilities. If you can not take care of these responsibilities, you may designate someone you trust to take care of them for you.